Welcome to my blog! The title "To Train Up a Mother" refers to the profound effects our children have on us, and how as we set out to "Train them up in the way they should go"...we find just how much God wants to teach us through them! These are my daily musings; a young mother to seven little souls on loan, how I've been so blessed by opening my heart to His plan and gift of CHILDREN, and...how I'm being totally transformed along the way.

AUTHOR PROFILE

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About the Author

I'm Liz, wife to Brian, and a homeschooling Momma to our seven wonderful children. We believe that children REALLY ARE a GIFT from the Lord, and have been blessed incredibly by trusting HIM with the number and timing of these gifts, trusting Him to provide financially, spiritually, emotionally and practically in the raising of them. We also homeschool them(sometimes more in theory than practice! haaaa!)
I was born and raised in Skagit Valley, WA. and met my amaaaazing better half Brian, at the tender age of fifteen. By seventeen,I didn't see any point in refusing his proposals any longer! We were engaged in October of my senior year of highschool, invited the whole school to our great big happy wedding,got hitched the friday night before Spring break. (Now that's the way to do Spring break ;)
We both always knew we wanted a lot of kids, but our conviction to actually release the timing and number of that to their Creator, came graaaadually.
My big "15 minutes of fame" came this January when I gave birth to my seventh, a little daughter Juliet Mercy, in the passenger seat of the family van while driving to the hospital. (Don't miss the news clip on that one!)

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Does this seem right people??? I'm so confused!

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Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Martha, Martha...

So I woke up this morning with about twelve new suckers shooting out from the top of my head that must've shot up during the night ;) and despite having my moment of clarity yesterday and blogging all about it, I just couldn't bring myself to do my pruning. Unfortunately, I didn't make time for the Lord to do it either...

Instead, I began running around like a fool, making phone calls, stressing about how I might fit everything I feel like I need to fit in this week, trying to get a handle on who to call back first, how to get everyone to believe that they are a priority in my life... (because the clock is ticking you know...), whose nose to wipe next, and taking up all the heavy burdens I had just yesterday laid down. All the while I'm telling myself that it was just a matter of needing to plan better and forcing myself to not look out the window at the apple tree that still hasn't been pruned either!)

Then I had an encouraging phone call with my mom who usually gives me good perspective. "UhhhhhLizabeth....!" It was when the baby started howling and decided she needed to nurse NOW, and I heard the shattering of a broken glass in the kitchen that I suddenly remembered something the Lord had taught me a few years ago:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listenend to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:38-42

I don't know how many of my Martha friends I've shared this with over the years, but it's something I need to revisit again myself. One thing is necessary.Right at that moment I realized it was the sweeping up of the glass. Then, the nursing of the baby. Then....I would sit at the Lord's feet and find out what comes next. It will be one... thing...at...a...time. (sigh)

And when I choose the good thing, like Christ said, the "good portion"...it will not be taken away from me. How encouraging is that? So much we do is here and gone. Like the straw that can burn, the glories that fade. But by seeking Christ and choosing the portion that he has for us at this moment, He will lead us to what is eternal and everlasting and He will calm our anxious hearts.

Forgive me, I know I am becoming redundant in my themes here, but I am apparently long in grasping certain lessons. And if you're asking yourself "Then how in the world does she have time to blog about all this now?" I don't know. I guess I could be scrambling around getting the house just perfect for the visitors that will be here shortly, but after opening the Word and sitting at my Father's feet, I am reminded that I won't be able to truly bless those visitors anyway while being "anxious and troubled about many things." I'm finding that now that I am at rest, my children are all playing peacefully as well.

Why do I always forget how loving my Father is? Why do we tarry in just sitting at his feet--as if He'll load us with all these heavy and unwanted burdens. Today my Lord was like "Elizabeth, why don't you just sit down, open the Word, have some breakfast already, do a little bloggin, and let me comfort you?" (sigh)

Are people actually reading this?

I'm just really curious and would love to hear from you if you are. Please leave a comment for me and tell me how really redundant my posts are getting. ;)

9 comments:

Rene' McPherson
said...

I Love you. Do i say that enough?!? Probably not, here it is again I love you. Thank God for us Martha's who get so many humiliating opportunities to remember that we must take time to be Mary's.Thank God even more for the Liz's willing to share with the denser of us Moron's (oh I mean Martha's) the much needed lessons our hearts so yearn to learn and glean from.I am so glad and relieved to hear you took moments today, precious moments.....thanks to you I did the same.Oh and to the, is anyone reading this ? Really, REEEEAALLY, must you ask! Have a great night! Rene' P.S. thanks for the glowier picture, i love it!

Hi, Liz!Thanks for sending me your blog address! I love reading your cogitations and meditations. Yep, we keep needing to be pruned, and reminded, and instructed, even as we get older in the Lord.So . . . I'm reading your blog now!

I read a great devotional this morning by Bob Hoekstra, about following the Lord by humble faith into abundance of life: http://www.blueletterbible.org/daybyday/08/0830.htmlIt reminded me of this battle that you're describing, of how easily those "suckers" of sinful worry and anxiety can get us down.It was a blessing to me. :)

Oh, I can relate to this Liz, I know my "suckers" are probably different (and i don't have seven kids, a husband, house to take care of) but still there...and I must confess I am very often a fellow "Martha". Thanks for sharing your thoughts and what the Lord is teaching you. I also enjoy your music selections...a nice variety:)

Liz,In this case its not "if you build it they will come" its "if you write it they will read it,drop on their knees,sob for a good hour,get up, remembering that their not supposed to stay on their knees but do something with the information, then do something with it!!!" In other words my dear when you got a spare moment and the Lord gives you something good by all means share it. He knows I need the help and it is comforting to know that I'm not the only one.I love you Liz!!!katy (yes, the one in Idaho)

YES! Or at least I am. ;0) I found your blog a few days ago and decided to start at the beginning. It helps to know all the little ones names and faces and some of the background. Yes, even a year later your posts are being read and taken to heart. I did not grow up in a Christian home. I became a Christian in my mid 30's. Turning to the Lord in my time of stress, anxiety and need is most definitely a habit I have not developed. Over the past year or so I have drifted so very far from my Father. I pray for those I hear in need, but I have been severely neglecting my own relationship with my heavenly Father. Your words are working on my semi-hardened heart. Well, I suppose it's the Lord's message making its way through your words. Thank you so much for sharing what is so deep in your heart for those of us that need to hear this message (over and over and over, if need be!)